Duck Gizzards (Organ Meat) for Dogs

An underlooked food and yet necessary for our pets

Compared to regular cuts of muscle meat, organ meats are more densely packed with just about every nutrient, including heavy doses of B vitamins such as: B1, B2, B6, folic acid and vitamin B12.

Organ meats are loaded with minerals that are not found in many food such as phosphorus, iron, copper, magnesium and iodine, and they provide important fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. It is important to note that animals raised outside on grass contain even higher levels of these essential nutrients than their grain-fed counterparts.

Organ meats also contain high amounts of the essential fatty acids such as arachidonic acid, and omega-3 fats, including EPA and DHA. Despite popular belief, fish and fish oils are not the only source of the important EPA and DHA… organ meats are loaded with these important nutrients.

MACRONUTRIENTS

A 1-cup serving of chopped, cooked chicken gizzard contains 223 calories, 44 grams of protein and 4 grams of fat, including 1 gram of saturated fat. This serving provides you with 88 percent of the daily value for protein, which your body uses for forming new cells and as a source of energy.

VITAMINS

Gizzards are a good source of vitamins, with each serving providing 1.5 micrograms of vitamin B-12, or 25 percent of the DV; 4.5 milligrams of niacin, or 23 percent of the DV; and 0.3 milligram of riboflavin, or 18 percent of the DV. Vitamin B-12 is essential for brain function and forming red blood cells and DNA. You need niacin for improving circulation, producing hormones and supporting proper nervous system function, and riboflavin is important for antioxidant function, producing energy and keeping your skin and hair healthy.

MINERALS

Eating gizzards will also increase your mineral consumption, as each serving provides 6.4 milligrams of zinc, or 43 percent of the DV; 4.6 milligrams of iron, or 26 percent of the DV; and 274 milligrams of phosphorus, or 27 percent of the DV. Zinc helps form DNA and proteins and is involved with wound healing and immune function. You need iron for forming red blood cells and producing energy, and phosphorus is essential for muscle, nerve and heart function.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION

Consume gizzards in moderation, as a 1-cup serving is very high in cholesterol, containing 536 milligrams, which is more than the recommended limit of 300 milligrams per day for healthy humans (this is calculated based on a 70kg person). Common preparation methods include simmering in water for soups, broiling and frying. Cook gizzards to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit for food safety reasons.

WHERE DO YOU GET DUCK GIZZARDS FROM

It is rather difficult to get this from supermarkets and wet markets. You can order it online from Fidelis Meat Singapore.